Thursday, December 26, 2013

Hallelujah

A week ago it was the 10th anniversary of my blog.  Even I had barely noticed.  Tonight I was cleaning up torn tissue paper and wrapping while my husband put the kids to bed, scrolling through Facebook at the same time, and found this video of Cloverton doing a Christmas version of "Halelujah."



Isn't it beautiful?  Aren't they having a merry little Christmas?  I wish my life was like that coffee house, where, subdued and chill, we could all just start singing, admiting the wonderful truth.

Merry Christmas.

Friday, December 06, 2013

'Tis the season

There is a time for everything - and I feel like it's been time for everything lately!  Finding myself posting as a very tired mama, decorator, teacher, etc.

Yet, I am inspired.  I thoroughly enjoyed posting a thankful thought per day on Facebook in December and think it is something I should continue to do.  Even when things are hectic.  Just to remember, and and shine a light.  I look back at my list and I enjoy those moments again.

I have been re-reading a Bible study on Esther over the past few months, and two days ago came to the part where Xerxes gives a decree that the Jews can defend themselves.  Much rejoicing follows this reversal of fortune.  The author of the study made the point that life can be hard, and that therefore, when a time or a moment of gladness comes, we should seize it and hold on to it.

That is how I am approaching this holiday season, and perhaps every moment of happiness that comes from here on out.  I will be grateful and I will go for it.  I remember a time three years ago when we'd had a very difficult season in our lives, and Christmas was a time of healing for us.  May it be so again.

So, here are some fun things I want to do this Christmas season: go see the lights at Winterhaven , take the kids to see Santa (tomorrow, hopefully!), go look at Christmas lights with friends, see "snow" in Tucson (a few of the malls have artificial snow at designated times - awesome!), decorate like crazy, and host!

Yes, I get to host Christmas this year!  I almost feel like my whole life has been building to this.  Over the past four years, when I have looked at a house to buy, one of the things I consider is where I am going to put a Christmas tree.  I am pretty sure that Christmas gives houses meaning and purpose.  So, to be having my extended family over to my house this year is positively epic for me.  Not the least important aspect of which is that my grandmother will be coming in from the midwest, and I have all these dishes she's given me over the year that I'll be able to put to use in her presence.  Hospitality is something I learned from her.

I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait...

Right now I'm able to type this up because someone is watching Stefan and Scott is out with Kyrstin.  We've started a new therapy program with Stefan that is sure to be really beneficial and good but it is in the preliminary stages and evaluation would be premature.  I am thankful we have this help in our lives.  I'm thankful for so much.  And I'm gonna enjoy as much as I can.

What are you going to enjoy this Christmas season?